Searching Huntington for an apartment, especially your first one, may seem at intimidating. However, there are many factors to consider that will help you find the right place for you.
Looking in the classifieds of your local newspaper or online are great places to start finding out how you can find an apartment that fits your needs. Asking friends or co-workers for advice can also help. Once you have found potential apartments, there are several things to consider before signing a lease.
Remember that it may only take a few minutes to sign a lease, but you may be making a decision that commits you to the place for several months.
Apartment Living's Web site, www.living.apartments.com, offers these tips for finding the apartment that meets your needs.
1. Budget wisely. Experts suggest the rent should be less than 25-30 percnet of your annual wages. It may be more tempting to spend greater amounts and spend less in other areas, however, higher rent increases the chance of coming up short for the month.
If you are unable to pay your rent later when money becomes tight, you may find yourself with an eviction notice that places a warning light on your credit record.
An even more precise way to calculate an appropriate budget for rent is to evaluate your income after taxes and subtract all of your expenses including utilities, bills, food and any other major or frequent expense. The remainder is your living budget.
2. Think about deposits. The apartment will probably have a required deposit fee to help cover damages or missed payments on your behalf. The cost of that deposit is usually accounted for by new residents, but there are other deposits to consider that many people forget to plan for.
Deposits for electricity, telephone, cable and Internet services may each require different deposit fees. Be sure that before signing any leases or agreements you know what you committing to financially.
3. Use credit cards in moderation. Credit cards are often given a bad reputation for ruining the lives of the financially inexperienced. As a result, some people think that forgoing credit cards all together solves the problem.
Having a credit card and regularly paying off debts strengthen a credit report. Be careful when using credit cards and pay off the balance within three months.
Credit cards should not be thought of as free money or even a way to make ends meet. Using credit cards as an emergency or for an occasional treat should not cause any problems.
4. Distinguish between needs and wants. When you are hunting for an apartment it is important to understand the difference.
If you don't drive a vehicle, it may be important to locate nearby public transportation or near where you will spend time outside of the apartment.
Things such as gyms and pools attached to the apartment complex are examples of wants for most individuals. It is important to first find an apartment that has what you need and then find one that also has what you want.
Never rush to sign a lease before making sure that you find an apartment that fits your needs, budgets and wants.
5. Visit before you sign. Ask the renter to show you the actual apartment that you will be staying in before you sign a lease. Inspect the entire unit and look for any sort of strange noises, smells or visible damage to the apartment.
Check each closet and cabinet and all appliances and faucets. Look at the safety of the parking lots and common areas of the apartment complex.
If you do find a problem, you may be able to request that it is resolved before you move in to the apartment. Be sure to get any agreement made by the landlord in writing, preferably in the lease, before signing the lease.
6. Read the lease, carefully. Ask for a copy and spend time reading the lease and make sure that you know exactly what it entails.
Pay particular attention to ensure that what the landlord told you verbally matches the terms of the lease. Also look for fees or penalties that were not mentioned by the landlord.
Pets and the fees associated for owning them is one type of issue that may not be obvious in the lease. Anything that could cause a problem should be negotiated before the lease is signed.
Also be sure that your lease specifies which utilities are the responsibility of the renter and which are paid by the landlord.
7. Get renters insurance. Renters insurance covers loss that you may incur as a renter. It typically costs about $10 to $20 per month.
Renters insurance often requires that you document anything that is in the apartment to retain proof of the items that the insurance company insures.
Some landlords require that all residents carry some form of renters insurance.
8. Make sure you have what you need. When moving items into your apartment, it is important that you take items that are required on a daily basis.
Items like shower curtains, toilet covers and cooking utensils are often forgotten about.
Planning ahead saves time and frustration later in the process.
9. Ask questions. Use the landlord to obtain information about the residence and the people living nearby. Find out if the neighbors make a lot of noise or if they frequently cause disruptions.
Ask neighbors or former tenants about the landlord and how well he or she tends to the property or responds to problems. If you are not comfortable approaching a neighbor and you do not know anyone, ask the landlord for a list of references.
10. Consider the features of each apartment. Each apartment varies and offers different features and amenities. Here are a few of the things you should consider.
- Size. The size of the apartment is a key factor in the pricing of the unit. Make sure that you choose an apartment that fits your needs and your budget.
- Location. Apartments in the city are typically more expensive than suburban or rural apartments. Low-cost urban rentals are available, but be sure to find out why the apartment is so affordable. Apartments near entertainment areas are typically more costly.
- Number of bedrooms. The cost of an apartment typically raises by about 33 percent, or one-third, for each bedroom.
- Number of bathrooms. Bathrooms are typically shared in a unit and finding a one-to-one match for bedrooms to apartments may be costly.
- Furnishings. If the apartment comes furnished with appliances or furniture the cost may go up, but it is important to keep in mind the cost of obtaining those items otherwise.
- Laundry facilities. A laundry room or in-unit laundry facility could be a valuable asset if the nearest laundromat is too far away for convenience. Ask the landlord to see the laundry facilities and be sure that it is somewhere you feel safe being or leaving your clothes.
- Parking. Parking is an often overlooked feature of an apartment.
- Extras that may increase cost. Things such as a yard, balcony, deck, patio, porch and workout center are considered luxury amenities and will greatly increase the cost of a rented apartment.
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